Progressive Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania is facing a Democratic primary challenge this week from Bhavini Patel, who is running as a moderate alternative.
Lee, first elected to the 12th District seat in 2022, is an outspoken supporter of progressive proposals like the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, and is considered part of “the Squad,” a small group of progressive Democratic House members of color. The district includes most of Pittsburgh and some suburbs.
Lee has been a staunch ally of environmentalists, including through spots on the House Science Subcommittee on Energy and the Oversight and Accountability Committee. She’s an original co-sponsor of the “Green New Deal for Health Act” and participated in this year’s reintroduction of the Green New Deal resolution.
Patel said on her campaign website that she would make tackling climate change a priority, with a focus on clean energy investments and jobs, strengthening EPA and boosting environmental justice protections for communities of color in the Pittsburgh area and elsewhere.
